skip to main content

|  common.other
Similatiry Check 10%
Subject
Type Other
  Download (5MB)    Indexing metadata

Effect of Solution pH and Concentration of Dewandaru Fruit Extract as a Natural Dye on Optical Characteristics and Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

1Department of Physics, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia, Indonesia

2Department of Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia, Indonesia

3Department of Physics, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia

4 Department of Physics Education, Institut Pendidikan Indonesia, Garut, Indonesia, Indonesia

5 Chemistry Education Study Program, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon, Indonesia, Indonesia

6 Center of Excellence Applied Physics and Chemistry, Nano Center Indonesia, Indonesia, Indonesia

View all affiliations
Received: 12 Aug 2025; Published: 26 Jul 2026.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract
Given growing global energy demand and the need for sustainable solutions, solar energy is a promising alternative. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) represent a cost-effective photovoltaic technology, and natural dyes as sensitizers have significant potential to enhance their efficiency. This study explores the use of natural dye from Dewandaru fruit (Eugenia uniflora) in DSSCs by varying pH levels and concentrations. Natural dyes offer an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative compared to synthetic dyes, which are often expensive and not eco-friendly. In this research, Dewandaru fruit extract was used to sensitize TiO2 photoanodes, and the effects of varying pH (1.00, 1.66, 2.27, and 3.00) and dye concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10%) on optical properties and performance were analyzed. UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, and J-V measurements assessed absorbance, energy levels, and efficiency. Optical characterization results showed that changes in pH and concentration can affect the dye’s absorbance and energy band gap. The optimal DSSC performance for the dye was found at pH 3.00, yielding a Voc of 0.425 V, Jsc of 0.053 mA/cm², fill factor of 68.7%, and efficiency of 0.1548%. The best dye concentration was 10%, achieving a Voc of 0.45 V, Jsc of 0.105 mA/cm², fill factor of 69.0%, and efficiency of 0.322%. The statistical analysis indicates that pH substantially and positively influences DSSC efficiency and band gap energy. Moreover, dye concentration significantly affects DSSC efficiency, light harvesting efficiency, Jsc, and fill factor, with the most substantial impacts observed on efficiency and Jsc. However, concentration appears to have less effect on dye absorbance, band gap energy, and the HOMO/LUMO values. The study indicates that Dewandaru fruit extract has potential as a natural dye for DSSCs, with varying performance based on pH and concentration.

Note: This article has supplementary file(s).

Keywords: Dye sensitized solar cells; Natural dye; Eugenia uniflora; pH solvent; Concentration

Article Metrics:

  1. AL-BAT'HI SAM, AHMED N, OTHMAN R, OTHMAN M. 2018. Optimization of TiO2 thin film thickness for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. DOI 10.1088/1757-899X/290/1/012004
  2. ALESSA AH, ALQARNI SA, QURBAN J, ALGHASHAM HA, ASHOUR GRS, BAYAZEED A, et al. 2024. Synergistic Co-sensitization: Unlocking the potential of carbohydrazide chromophores and metal complexes for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Molecular Liquids 408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.125354
  3. ALKORTA I, PICAZO O. 2005. Influence of protonation on the properties derived from electron density. Arkivoc 9: 305-320
  4. ATIA DM, AHMED NM. 2023. Mathematical modeling, parameter identification, and electrical performance of a DSSC based on nature-inspired optimization techniques. Journal of Computational Electronics 22(2): 723-741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10825-023-02018-8
  5. BAGETTI M, FACCO EMP, PICCOLO J, HIRSCH GE, RODRIGUEZ-AMAYA D, KOBORI CN, et al. 2011. Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant capacity of pitanga fruits (Eugenia uniflora L.). Food Science and Technology 31: 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-20612011000100021
  6. BARBINTA-PATRASCU M-E, BITA B, NEGUT I. 2024. From nature to technology: Exploring the potential of plant-based materials and modified plants in biomimetics, bionics, and green innovations. Biomimetics 9(7): 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9070390
  7. BEKELE ET, SINTAYEHU YD. 2022. Recent Progress, Advancements, and Efficiency Improvement Techniques of Natural Plant Pigment-Based Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Journal of Nanomaterials 2022: 1024100. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1024100
  8. BHOGAITA M, SHUKLA A, NALINI RP. 2016. Recent advances in hybrid solar cells based on natural dye extracts from Indian plant pigment as sensitizers. Solar Energy 137: 212-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.08.003
  9. CALOGERO G, BARTOLOTTA A, DI MARCO G, DI CARLO A, BONACCORSO F. 2015. Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem. Soc. Rev. 44(10): 3244-3294. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00309H
  10. CARELLA A, BORBONE F, CENTORE R. 2018. Research progress on photosensitizers for DSSC. Frontiers in chemistry 6: 481
  11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00481
  12. CHEN D, FAN G, ZHU W, YANG H, XI H, HE F, et al. 2020. Highly efficient bifacial CsPbIBr 2 solar cells with a TeO 2/Ag transparent electrode and unsymmetrical carrier transport behavior. Dalton Transactions 49(18): 6012-6019. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT00407C
  13. CHEN D, HE Y, FAN G, ZHANG Z, ZHU W, XI H, et al. 2023. Ultrahigh fill-factor all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells processed from two-step solution method and solvent additive strategy. Journal of Materiomics 9(4): 717-724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2023.01.012
  14. CHIEN C-Y, HSU B-D. 2013. Optimization of the dye-sensitized solar cell with anthocyanin as photosensitizer. Solar Energy 98, Part C: 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2013.09.035
  15. CONRADIE J. 2024. Effective dyes for DSSCs–Important experimental and calculated parameters. Energy Nexus: 100282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2024.100282
  16. DA SILVA DINIZ PR, RISPOLI RG, MINOZZO MM, JOBIM LH, JUNGES M, STEFENON VM. 2014. A regenerative route for Eugenia unifloraL. (Myrtaceae) through in vitro germination and micropropagation. Annals of Forest Research 57(1): 39-45. https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2014.179
  17. DISSANAYAKE MAKL, SENTHURAN S, SENADEERA GKR. 2020. Efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells using hierarchical TiO2 submicron size spheres as a light scattering layer. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 24(10): 2261-2269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-020-04727-7
  18. EKA CP, YULIARTO B, SUYATMAN S. 2013. Performance of Natural Carotenoids from Musa aromatica and Citrus medica var Lemon as Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with TiO2 Nanoparticle. Adv. Mat. Res. 789: 167-170. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.789.167
  19. FAQIH P, AINI N, MARDHIYAH Z, NUROSYID F. 2019. Effect of concentration of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) peels extract as a dye of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) on DSSC efficiency. Paper presented at the AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5141733
  20. GHANN W, KANG H, SHEIKH T, YADAV S, CHAVEZ-GIL T, NESBITT F, et al. 2017. Fabrication, Optimization and Characterization of Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell. Scientific Reports 7(1): 41470. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41470
  21. GOLSHAN M, OSFOURI S, AZIN R, JALALI T, MOHEIMANI NR. 2021. Co-sensitization of natural and low-cost dyes for efficient panchromatic light-harvesting using dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 417: 113345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113345
  22. HEGAZY A. 2019. High performance crystalline TiO2 mesocrystals for enhanced solar fuel. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 62(Special Issue (Part 1) Innovation in Chemistry): 115-122. doi. 10.21608/ejchem.2019.13610.1841
  23. HEINZE J. 1984. Cyclic Voltammetry—“Electrochemical Spectroscopy”. New Analytical Methods (25). Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English 23(11): 831-847. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.198408313
  24. ISAH KU, AHMADU U, IDRIS A, KIMPA MI, UNO UE, NDAMITSO MM, et al. 2015. Betalain pigments as natural photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells: The effect of dye pH on the photoelectric parameters. Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40243-014-0039-0
  25. KABEYI MJB, OLANREWAJU OA. 2022. Sustainable Energy Transition for Renewable and Low Carbon Grid Electricity Generation and Supply. Frontiers in Energy Research 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.743114
  26. KHARKWAL D, DHAWAN A. 2024. Enhanced Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Mixing of Metal-Complex Dyes. Journal of Electronic Materials 53(9): 5334-5339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-024-11250-2
  27. KUMARA N, LIM A, LIM CM, PETRA MI, EKANAYAKE P. 2017. Recent progress and utilization of natural pigments in dye sensitized solar cells: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 78: 301-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.075
  28. KUMARA NTRN, PETROVIĆ M, PEIRIS DSU, MARIE YA, VIJILA C, PETRA MI, et al. 2015. Efficiency enhancement of Ixora floral dye sensitized solar cell by diminishing the pigments interactions. Sol. Energy 117: 36-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2015.04.019
  29. LIU H, LIU L, FU Y, LIU E, XUE B. 2019. Theoretical Design of D-π-A-A Sensitizers with Narrow Band Gap and Broad Spectral Response Based on Boron Dipyrromethene for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling 59(5): 2248-2256. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00187
  30. LÓPEZ J, VEGA-GÁLVEZ A, RODRÍGUEZ A, URIBE E, DÍAZ P. 2017. Vacuum drying of Chilean murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) berries: Effect of temperature on kinetic parameters and assessment of energy consumption. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.13162
  31. LOZANO-ALVAREZ JA, MARAÑÓN-RUIZ VF, JÁUREGUI-RINCÓN J, MEDINA-RAMÍREZ I, FRAUSTO-REYES C, SALINAS-GUTIÉRREZ R. 2015. Removal of direct dyes with alginic acid. Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society 59(3): 215-228. https://doi.org/10.29356/jmcs.v59i3.38
  32. MAGALHÃES CG, SOLA IMMS, ALBERTI A, ASCARI J, NUNES DS. 2025. Phenolic compounds and biological potential of Eugenia uniflora L.: A short review. Eclética Química 50. https://doi.org/10.26850/1678-4618.eq.v50.2025.e1589
  33. MAIAUGREE W, LOWPA S, TOWANNANG M, RUTPHONSAN P, TANGTRAKARN A, PIMANPANG S, et al. 2015. A dye sensitized solar cell using natural counter electrode and natural dye derived from mangosteen peel waste. Scientific Reports 5: 15230. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15230
  34. MATTIOLI R, FRANCIOSO A, MOSCA L, SILVA P. 2020. Anthocyanins: A comprehensive review of their chemical properties and health effects on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Molecules 25(17): 3809. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25173809
  35. MEDIANTSEV E, DUBINETS N, LOBOVA N. 2024. Computational Approach to the Study of Acidochromic Properties of Donor‐π‐Acceptor Systems Based on Dimethylamino‐Substituted Dyes With Intramolecular Charge Transfer. International Journal of Quantum Chemistry 124(19): e27488. https://doi.org/10.1002/qua.27488
  36. MIKHEEV YA, GUSEVA LN, ERSHOV YA. 2017. Transformations of methyl orange dimers in aqueous–acid solutions, according to UV–Vis spectroscopy data. Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A 91(10): 1896-1906. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0036024417090199
  37. MURSYALAAT V, VARIANI VI, ARSYAD WOS, FIRIHU MZ. 2023. The development of program for calculating the band gap energy of semiconductor material based on UV-Vis spectrum using delphi 7.0. Paper presented at the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. DOI 10.1088/1742-6596/2498/1/012042
  38. MURYANI B, SARIFAH N, KUSUMAWARDANI D, NUROSYID F. 2019. Effect concentration of dye solution binahong leaves to the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Paper presented at the AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5141735
  39. NANDIYANTO ABD, OKTIANI R, RAGADHITA R. 2019. How to read and interpret FTIR spectroscope of organic material. Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology 4(1): 97-118. http://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/ijost/
  40. NICHOLSON RS. 1965. Theory and Application of Cyclic Voltammetry for Measurement of Electrode Reaction Kinetics. Analytical Chemistry 37(11): 1351-1355. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60230a016
  41. O'REGAN B, GRÄTZEL M. 1991. A low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO2 films. Nature 353: 737-740. https://doi.org/10.1038/353737a0
  42. OMER AM. 2012. Sustainable Energy Development, the Role of Renewables and Global Warming. J. Sust. Dev. Stud. 1(1): 1-67
  43. PATHAK C, SURANA K, SHUKLA VK, SINGH PK. 2019. Fabrication and characterization of dye sensitized solar cell using natural dyes. Materials Today: Proceedings 12: 665-670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.03.111
  44. PRADHAN SC, VELORE J, MEETHAL SM, SOMAN S. 2023. Fundamental Understanding of Dye Coverage and Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Copper Electrolyte. Energies 16(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196913
  45. PRAMANANDA V, FITYAY TAH, MISRAN E. 2021. Anthocyanin as natural dye in DSSC fabrication: A review. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/1122/1/012104
  46. PRATIWI D, NUROSYID F, SUPRIYANTO A, SURYANA R. 2016. Optical properties of natural dyes on the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) performance. Paper presented at the Journal of physics: Conference series. DOI 10.1088/1742-6596/776/1/012007
  47. PRATIWI D, NUROSYID F, SUPRIYANTO A, SURYANA R. 2017. Performance improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) by using dyes mixture from chlorophyll and anthocyanin. Paper presented at the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. DOI 10.1088/1742-6596/909/1/012025
  48. PRIMA EC, NUGROHO HS, NUGRAHA, REFANTERO G, PANATARANI C, YULIARTO B. 2020. Performance of the dye-sensitized quasi-solid state solar cell with combined anthocyanin-ruthenium photosensitizer. RSC Advances 10(60): 36873-36886. DOI: 10.1039/D0RA06550A
  49. PRIMA EC, NURUDDIN A, YULIARTO B, KAWAMURA G, MATSUDA A. 2018. Combined spectroscopic and TDDFT study of single-double anthocyanins for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. New Journal of Chemistry 42(14): 11616-11628. DOI
  50. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ01202D
  51. PRIMA EC, RUSLIANI PF, SUHENDI E, YULIARTO B. 2024. Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with mixed three natural pigments and reduced graphene oxide as a counter electrode. Results in Optics 14: 100592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rio.2023.100592
  52. RAHMAN MF, HIDAYAT A, DIANTORO M. 2020. The influence of TiO2 film thickness in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) performance based on TiO2/Ag@TiO2-ZnO. Paper presented at the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 10.1088/1742-6596/1572/1/012079
  53. RAHMAN S, HALEEM A, SIDDIQ M, HUSSAIN MK, QAMAR S, HAMEED S, et al. 2023. Research on dye sensitized solar cells: recent advancement toward the various constituents of dye sensitized solar cells for efficiency enhancement and future prospects. RSC Advances 13(28): 19508-19529. DOI: 10.1039/D3RA00903C
  54. RAJKUMAR S, VENKATRAMAN M, ARUNKUMAR A, JAYAPRAKASH K. 2025. Anthocyanin and Betalain Pigments Assisted Green Synthesis of TiO₂: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Approach for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Photoanodes. Optical Materials: 116710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2025.116710
  55. RATURI A, FEPULEAI Y. 2010. Photosynthesis in a test tube- dye sensitized solar cells as a teaching tool. Renewable Energy 35(5): 1010-1013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.10.035
  56. SANTOSO P, DEWI NLKAA, ADRIANTA A. 2020. Antioxidant capacity profile of dewandaru leaf (extract eugenia uniflora l.): part of usadha Bali. International journal of life sciences 4(1): 87-98
  57. SAUD PS, BIST A, KIM AA, YOUSEF A, ABUTALEB A, PARK M, et al. 2024. Dye-sensitized solar cells: Fundamentals, recent progress, and Optoelectrical properties improvement strategies. Optical Materials 150: 115242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2024.115242
  58. SEIDEMANN J. 2005. Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) - A little known fruit. Deutsche Lebensmittel-Rundschau 101(5): 204-209
  59. SETIARSO P, HARSONO RV, KUSUMAWATI N. 2023. Fabrication of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) using combination of dyes extracted from Curcuma (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) rhizome and binahong (Anredera cordifolia) leaf with treatment in pH of the extraction. Indonesian Journal of Chemistry 23(4): 924-936. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.77860
  60. SHARMA D, MEHRA R, RAJ B. 2022. Design and Analysis of Various Solar Cell Technologies for Improvements in Efficiencies. Indian Journal of Engineering and Materials Sciences 29(5): 557-567
  61. SINGH J, GUSAIN A, SAXENA V, CHAUHAN AK, VEERENDER P, KOIRY SP, et al. 2013. XPS, UV–Vis, FTIR, and EXAFS Studies to Investigate the Binding Mechanism of N719 Dye onto Oxalic Acid Treated TiO2 and Its Implication on Photovoltaic Properties. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 117(41): 21096-21104. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp4062994
  62. SINGH S, MAURYA IC, SHARMA S, KUSHWAHA SPS, SRIVASTAVA P, BAHADUR L. 2021. Application of new natural dyes extracted from Nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus) as photosensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells. Optik 243: 167331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2021.167331
  63. SINGH S, SINGH PK, KAKROO S, HACHIM DM, DHAPOLA PS, KHAN ZH. 2021. Eco-friendly dye sensitized solar cell using natural dye with solid polymer electrolyte as hole transport material. Materials Today: Proceedings 34: 760-766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.04.775
  64. SUKARNO I, MATSUMOTO H, SUSANTI L, KIMURA R. 2015. Urban energy consumption in a city of Indonesia: general overview. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy 5(1): 360
  65. TAUC J. 1968. Optical properties and electronic structure of amorphous Ge and Si. Materials Research Bulletin 3(1): 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-5408(68)90023-8
  66. TAUC J, GRIGOROVICI R, VANCU A. 1966. Optical properties and electronic structure of amorphous germanium. physica status solidi (b) 15(2): 627-637. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.19660150224
  67. TEJA AS, SRIVASTAVA A, SATRUGHNA JAK, TIWARI MK, KANWADE A, CHAND YADAV S, et al. 2023. Optimal processing methodology for futuristic natural dye-sensitized solar cells and novel applications. Dyes and Pigments 210: 110997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2022.110997
  68. THUMMAJITSAKUL S, SILPRASIT K. 2022. Analysis of FTIR Spectra, Flavonoid Content and Anti-Tyrosinase Activity of Extracts and Lotion from Garcinia schomburgkiana by Multivariate Method. Trends in Sciences 19(18): 5780-5780. https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2022.5780
  69. TOUIHRI AE, AZIZI T, GHARBI R. 2021. Transient current effect on the dye sensitized solar cells I–V characterization. IET Science, Measurement and Technology 15(1): 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1049/smt2.12007
  70. UNWAKOLY, S., LILIASARI, L., HARTATI, S., MUNAWAROH, H. S. H., ARRAMEL, A., RUSLIANI, P. F., & PRIMA, E. C. 2025. Natural pigment-based dye-sensitized solar cells utilizing Caulerpa racemose and Gymnogongrus flabelliformis as photosensitizers. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 14(3), 554-562. https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.61083
  71. YADAV V, NEGI CMS, KUMAR DK, GUPTA SK. 2021. Fabrication of eco-friendly, low-cost dye sensitized solar cells using harda fruit-based natural dye. Optical Materials 122: 111800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111800
  72. YAN Y, ZHANG Y, ZHAO Y, DING F, LEI Y, WANG Y, et al. 2025. Review on TiO2 nanostructured photoanode and novel dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells application. Journal of Materials Science: 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-025-10734-8
  73. ZHANG Z, ZHANG W, WEI Z, JIANG Q, DENG M, CHAI W, et al. 2020. Dipole-templated homogeneous grain growth of CsPbIBr2 films for efficient self-powered, all-inorganic photodetectors. Solar Energy 209: 371-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.09.021

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-07-27 08:55:51

No citation recorded.